NOVA public schools budget cuts? (Fairfax, Pimmit Hills: credit, transfer, school district)

[bastafidli]

We made it out to NOVA and loved it. We hit all the areas mentioned on this forum and know for certain that NOVA is where we want to be. Thanks so much for all your help.

Seems like most of the country is getting hit pretty hard with budget cuts in the public school system. One concern we have is that we'd be stretching our budget pretty much to the limit with a move to NOVA and would not have any additional money for private schooling if the public school district we choose suffers through severe budget cuts. Can any of you tell me how the school district is doing in your area? Lots of talk of teacher lay-offs? Cutting funding for special programs?

Any input you could give us would be much appreciated.

[michgc]

I don't think the budget cuts are severe enough to force people to go to private school. The biggest change impacting the largest group might be adding an extra person or two per classroom - making class size go up. Other changes might be getting rid of the strings program, transportation to the Gifted Talented schools (if your school has one), getting rid of some extra language programs that aren't available in every school anyway, adding fees for AP exams and maybe for some sports programs? That's all I remember off the top of my head. Check the website for more detailed info. Nothing is finalized yet as far as I know. http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfa...POST%20BOS.pdf

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by michgc

I don't think the budget cuts are severe enough to force people to go to private school. The biggest change impacting the largest group might be adding an extra person or two per classroom - making class size go up. Other changes might be getting rid of the strings program, transportation to the Gifted Talented schools (if your school has one), getting rid of some extra language programs that aren't available in every school anyway, adding fees for AP exams and maybe for some sports programs? That's all I remember off the top of my head. Check the website for more detailed info. Nothing is finalized yet as far as I know. http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfa...POST%20BOS.pdf

Many of these things that were going to be cut are back in FCPS's budget since they will be receiving more money from the state than they had originally thought. I believe the proposal is still for increased sports fees and AP exams. There is still a pay freeze for employees and a small reduction in positions I believe. I am sure I can find more info.

[cdmurphy]

Loudoun County Public Schools just finalized its budget (http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=632208&C=103740 - broken link). Cuts included the elimination of 35 central office positions; two furlough days for all employees; elimination of 1% COLA for all employees; and other cuts. Here's the full list (http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/lib/509759161361/Budget/FY11%20SB%20Reconciliation%20Summary%20Complete%20 List.pdf - broken link). (I would hope that no one would pull their kids out and put them in private school because there will no longer be any part-time assistant athletic trainers, but who knows.)

[tgbwc]

The Bottom Line - April 9, 2010 - FCPS

From the above publication:
...School Board’s advertised budget still includes reduced services and programs for the coming school year. These cuts include a reduction of more than 200 positions (nearly half from central office support); a salary freeze for all employees; a reduction of custodial support; the closing of Pimmit Hills Alternative High School; the elimination of summer school except for some special education students and credit recovery to ensure graduation; the elimination of the extended school day and modified elementary school calendar; and a 15 percent reduction in supplies and textbooks. In addition to these reductions, fees will be instituted for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and PSAT tests and for Virginia High School League sports participation.

If the Board of Supervisors provides a level transfer, restorations to the budget that were approved in February by the Fairfax County School Board will be funded. Those restorations would enable FCPS to maintain class size at current levels; fund assistant principals, instructional assistants, and instructional coaches; retain the foreign language in the elementary schools (FLES) program; and retain freshman sports, indoor track, and some swim and dive team practice time.

[bastafidli]

Thank you all for your responses. The links you've provided gave me provided a better picture of what is going on in NOVA public schools than I was able to gather from Google. Thanks again.

[mississippimagnolia]

Even with the proposed budget cuts, Fairfax County Schools will still be excellent. I've had kids in both public and private schools all over the world. Their schools here in Fairfax beat even the best private schools they've attended.

There are many things I won't miss when we move this summer...traffic, congestion, fast-paced, super stressed out lifestyle, high cost of living, snow.... But I will definitely miss the schools. They are fantastic.